Can couples from abroad get married on Bornholm?
Possibly, yes. Couples who live outside Denmark can marry on Bornholm once Familieretshuset, the Danish Agency of Family Law, has approved their documents. The municipality's registrar can then perform the ceremony, within the dates and languages the town hall offers at the time.
Danish marriage law is national, so a wedding on Bornholm is legally the same as one in Copenhagen. Practical details are local, such as ceremony days and the size of the room. Not every Danish town hall offers dates to couples from abroad, and availability changes through the year, so we check Bornholm for your dates before you book travel. Because the island needs a ferry or flight, we always confirm the date first and then plan the journey.
Our guide on how to get married in Denmark explains the full process from documents to certificate.
Why do couples choose Bornholm for a civil wedding?
Couples choose Bornholm because it feels like a small holiday world of its own. The island lies far out in the Baltic Sea, east of the rest of Denmark, and it is known for its granite cliffs, sandy beaches, forests and bright summer light.
Its best-known landmark is Hammershus, the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe, standing on a rocky headland above the sea. Bornholm is also famous for its four medieval round churches, its smokehouses and the colourful harbour towns of Gudhjem and Svaneke. The main town, Rønne, has cobbled streets and a working harbour.
- Dramatic coastline with rocks in the north and soft sand in the south
- A castle ruin, round churches and half-timbered houses for photographs
- Harbours, smokehouses and local food for the celebration afterwards
- A true wedding trip: guests can stay on after the ceremony
If you want your wedding to double as a holiday, few Danish locations do this better.
How do you book a wedding on Bornholm?
You book in two steps: first the approval from Familieretshuset, then the ceremony date with Bornholm Municipality. The town hall cannot confirm your wedding until the approval is in place, so the documents always come first.
- You send us your nationalities, travel window and guest numbers.
- We give you the free personal document checklist and prepare the application with you.
- Familieretshuset reviews the documents and approves the marriage.
- We request a date on Bornholm and confirm the ceremony language.
- You receive a day plan with ferry or flight advice, timing and photo stops.
The Familieretshuset marriage application sets the pace. Most couples marry 4 to 8 weeks after first contacting us, and because the approval has a limited validity, we choose the date carefully before you book transport.
What is a civil ceremony on Bornholm like?
A civil ceremony on Bornholm is short, personal and legally complete. The registrar welcomes you, speaks briefly about marriage, asks each of you the legal question and declares you married, and then you sign together with your two witnesses.
It is usually held in Danish or English, and we confirm the options when we request your date. Rings are welcome but not required. Guests can attend, although rooms differ in size, so give us your numbers early.
You need two witnesses aged 18 or over, and we can arrange them if you are travelling as a couple. Bring your passports for the identity check. The wording is described in our article on the ceremony words used at Danish town halls.
Where can you take wedding photos on Bornholm?
Hammershus is the most striking setting on the island, with its ruined walls and towers above the sea. The harbour towns of Gudhjem and Svaneke add colour, and the coastline offers wide, dramatic scenes.
- Hammershus castle ruins on the northern headland
- Gudhjem and Svaneke harbours, with colourful houses and small boats
- One of the medieval round churches, set among fields
- The rocky northern coast or the sandy beaches in the south
Some places have their own rules for professional photography, and we check these before the day. Many couples stay several nights, so you can combine the ceremony with a honeymoon; see our ideas for a honeymoon in Denmark. We can also arrange wedding photography with a photographer who knows the island.
How do you get to Bornholm from Copenhagen?
Bornholm can be reached by ferry or by a short domestic flight. Flights run from Copenhagen to Bornholm Airport near Rønne, and ferries cross to Rønne from the Danish mainland and from Ystad in Sweden.
- Domestic flight: the quickest way from Copenhagen, good for couples travelling light
- Ferry: more relaxed, and practical if you bring a car, flowers and guests
- Staying on the island: plan at least one night so the day is not rushed
Timetables change by season, so we plan transport with you once the date is confirmed. If you are flying in from abroad, our tips on travelling with a wedding dress will help.
How do we plan your Bornholm wedding with you?
Tell us your nationalities, travel window and guest numbers through our contact page, and we reply with your free document checklist and an honest view of Bornholm for your dates. If another town hall suits you better, we say so.
Any of our packages can be used for a wedding on Bornholm, and you can browse more town halls across Denmark before you decide.
Written by the Denmark Wedding team. Town hall rules and dates change, so we confirm the details for your date before you book. Questions? Ask us directly.
